Each year brings with it new investing trends, platforms and opportunities. And with any exciting or top-of-mind trend or event comes an often-overlooked risk: Fraudsters. They are also paying close attention to the next big thing that can make their scams more attractive.

As more Canadians, especially younger investors, rely on digital tools to guide their decisions, investment scams and technology-driven promotional tactics are evolving rapidly. Data trends indicate that by 2026, the scams targeting Albertans will mimic people they trust through realistic videos, friendly group chats, or familiar social media content.

According to the Alberta Securities Commission (ASC), early warning signs point to three technology-driven tactics that could significantly shape the 2026 scam landscape in Alberta: deepfakes, the next wave of finfluencers, and the growing use of private messaging apps, like WhatsApp and Telegram, to promote investment opportunities.

This article outlines the most common AI-driven investment scam tactics Alberta investors may encounter in 2026 and how to spot and avoid them.

 

Deepfake investment scams: How AI is impersonating trusted voices

Deepfake technology is no longer a novelty; it has become an everyday risk. Over the last few years, social media has been inundated with advertisements and seemingly legitimate news articles featuring public figures like Elon Musk and even current Prime Minister Mark Carney.

However, there has been a shift. What is changing is who is being impersonated. Rather than global celebrities, scammers are increasingly turning to local figures because they feel more relevant and trustworthy to Albertans.

One deepfake scam that circulated widely in 2025 used the likeness of David Rosenberg, a well-known Canadian economist and founder of Rosenberg Research. Reaching followers through advertisements on Facebook and Instagram, these posts promoted a fake investment program with an AI-version of Rosenberg and promised quick returns of 30 to 70 per cent.

Warning Albertans of the widespread nature of these scams, in 2025, the ASC cautioned the public of a suspected crypto investment scam that appeared to be endorsed by a fake news article or endorsements, similar to the one including David Rosenberg.

In 2026, the ASC is warning Albertans that deepfake scam tactics could look like:

• Videos of well-known Alberta business figures promoting exclusive investment opportunities.
• Fully AI-generated “advisors” with cloned voices and realistic faces promoting high-yield investments or crypto platforms.
• Deepfake speakers presenting at online investment seminars, and potentially even in-person events.

Private group investment scams: How WhatsApp and Telegram are used to build trust

Private messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and private Discord servers are increasingly being used to facilitate investment scams.

Fraudsters often first make contact through social media ads, comments, or direct messages (DMs), then quickly move the conversation into private group chats where conversations feel more personal and, more importantly, are harder to trace or report.

In some cases reported to the ASC, Albertans have mentioned being added to WhatsApp groups that appear to be run by local investors or professionals, complete with regional references and time-specific market updates — all designed to make the group feel legitimate. These groups are often positioned as educational spaces or invite-only communities offering early access to investment opportunities. Over time, trust is built through:

• Screenshots of supposed profits.
• Testimonials from other group members.
• Frequent activity that seemingly validates the opportunity.

In 2026, these tactics may become even more convincing with the help of AI-generated messages, bots posing as successful investors, and deepfake voice notes from so-called group leaders.

 

Finfluencers and unregistered advice: What investors in Alberta should know

Financial influencers, or finfluencers, have already changed how many people learn about investing. But the trend is far from over. By 2026, we can expect a second AI-driven wave that is more local, more commercialized, and more difficult to differentiate from legitimate investing education.

A recent case in Alberta shows how quickly this content can cross the line. In 2025, a Canmore-based content creator known as Jayconomics was found by the ASC to have breached securities law after promoting investments without clearly disclosing that he was doing so on behalf of four Alberta issuers. Some followers reportedly lost money after acting on his recommendations.

This case highlights how persuasive and risky influencer-driven investment content can be.

To address the growing risks, on December 11, 2025, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), the umbrella organization that includes other provincial regulators including the ASC, issued guidance aimed at helping finfluencers and firms understand when online content may cross into regulated activity.

The guidance explains that finfluencers may be subject to securities law when they:

• Provide investment advice.
• Promote securities/investments for compensation.
• Direct followers to trade through affiliated links.

The guidance also clarifies that the “general advice” exemption applies only when content is not tailored to individuals and information about a financial interest in securities must be disclosed.

Remember: If you see an investment opportunity promoted through a video, ad, or private message, take a moment to verify who’s behind it. Generally, anyone offering investments or personalized investment advice must be registered with the a provincial securities regulator. You can verify this using the Check Registration tool on CheckFirst.ca.

How to protect yourself from investment scams in Alberta

Even as these scam tactics become more sophisticated, the fundamentals of protecting yourself remain the same:

• Slow down. Fraudsters rely on urgency to prevent you from asking questions or doing your research into the credibility of the investment.
• Check the registration of the person or platform before you invest or follow advice.
• Be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities promoted through videos, DMs, social media, or private groups.

How to report investment scams in Alberta

Use the free tools at CheckFirst.ca to check registration, spot warning signs, and make informed decisions before you invest. If an investment opportunity seems suspicious or doesn’t feel right, you can report it through CheckFirst.ca or contact the ASC through its Inquiries line.